Cooking contest using Israeli, Japanese food held to mark 70th anniv. of diplomatic ties

ROSH HAAYIN, Israel (Mainichi) -- A creative cooking competition combining Israeli and Japanese ingredients was held here on Sept. 29 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Israel.

Israel is a leader in "food tech," using the latest technology to produce food. Ingredients including meat and eggs made from plant-based proteins, soy sauce made from dates, and cooking cream made from alcohol were used in the event. Five Israeli chefs proudly prepared dishes by combining these ingredients with Japanese ones such as yuzu citrus fruit, miso, and matcha green tea powder.

The winner was Ronit Brand, 43, who created a matcha cake using alcohol cream. Brand said Israel and Japan have completely different areas of strength, and she believes that new things will be created in the future through exchanges between the two countries.

The event was organized by groups including New-IJ, a network of women engaged in business in Israel and Japan.

Naomi Nakajima, 49, a New-IJ member who lives in Israel, said, "I would be happy if both food tech and Japanese foodstuffs spread to each other's country, leading to stronger relations between the two countries."

(Japanese original by Koji Miki, Jerusalem Bureau)